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Larodopa description. Levodopa is used alone or in combination with carbidopa to treat Parkinson's disease, sometimes referred to as shaking palsy. Some patients require the combination of medicine, while others benefit from levodopa alone. By improving muscle control, Larodopa allows more normal movements of the body. Levodopa alone or in combination is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Why prescribed Larodopa. Levodopa is used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease including tremors (shaking), stiffness, and slowness of movement. It may also improve your gait (walk), posture, swallowing, speech, handwriting, vigor, alertness, and sense of well-being and may control excess salivation and seborrhea (oily, crusty, scaly skin). Larodopa is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. How used Larodopa. Levodopa comes as a capsule and tablet to take by mouth. Levodopa usually is taken several times a day. Your doctor may instruct you to take a small amount at first and then to increase your dose gradually to allow your body to adjust to this drug. You may have to take levodopa for several months before you feel its full effect. Levodopa may be taken for a long time to treat Parkinson's disease. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take levodopa exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking levodopa suddenly without talking with your doctor. Sudden stoppage can cause symptoms of Parkinson=s disease to return. If you are unable to swallow the tablets or capsules, you may crush the tablets or empty the contents of the capsule and mix in fruit juice just before taking the dose. Brand names: - Apo-Levocarb - Atamet - Larodopa - Levodopa - Nu-Levocarb - Sinemet - Sinemet CR |